Baku asked Israeli firm to display drone strike against Armenian postAugust 14, 2017 - 13:24 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The Israeli Defense Ministry is checking reports that Aeronautics Defense Systems had been asked by Azerbaijan to carry out a live demonstration of an armed unmanned aerial vehicle against an Armenian military position. The Israeli daily Maariv reported on Sunday, August 13 that a team belonging to the Israeli defense company arrived in Baku to finalize a contract for the sale of its Orbiter 1K UAV when they were asked to strike the position. According to the report the two Israeli pilots operating the UAV refused to hit the position and senior representatives of the company took control and operated the craft themselves, ultimately missing their targets. The Defense Ministry said that while “as a rule, the Defense Ministry does not make it a practice to comment on issues involving military exports, the claim is being examined by the relevant parties at the ministry.” Aeronautics Defense Systems for their part strongly denied that the event ever occurred claiming that “Aeronautics never performs demonstrations using live fire and that was true in this case as well” and that the operation of the craft is carried out by the purchaser and whatever occurs is the purchaser’s responsibility. According to Maariv, two senior members of the delegation who were present allegedly tried to persuade the two pilots - who refused to operate the drone against Armenian positions - to change their minds, threatened to punish them and explained that their refusal to comply with the request would harm the company's chances of winning a contract. The two officials had to demonstrate a drone strike themselves, but apparently because of their lack of proficiency in operating the drones, the aircraft missed the target, with no casualties or damage registered as a result. Aeronautics’s Orbiter 1K is a loitering suicide drone capable of carrying a 1 to 2 kg. special explosive payload. Azerbaijan has become a major recipient of Israeli military hardware in recent years. In 2012 Jerusalem and Baku signed a $1.4 billion deal which focused on drones and missile defense systems. A year earlier Aeronautics opened a factory in Azerbaijan to build the company’s Aerostar and Orbiter UAVs. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | Azerbaijan must respect human rights, Scholz tells Aliyev German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for greater respect for human rights in Azerbaijan. Armenia: Defense Ministry warns against involving army in political processes The Ministry’s statement came after a video surfaced online, showing soldiers joining the protests in Tavush. Ucom equips four bus stops in Ijevan with free Wi-Fi Ucom now provides free Wi-Fi coverage in smart bus stops in four communities of Ijevan. Armenia, Russia discuss life extension of Metsamor nuclear plant Issues regarding the extension of life of the 2nd power unit of the Armenian Nuclear Power Plant were discussed in Yerevan. |